Evening ESL & Saturday Museum Classes

Our adult ESL programs make language learning fun, flexible, and affordable! We offer on-campus courses such as Business English, ESL for Better English, Grammar & Conversation, and Public Speaking with Confidence!.

All of our on-campus courses are held at our Fairfax, VA campus at 4401 Village Drive. Business English and Public Speaking with Confidence are restricted to high-intermediate and advanced students.

For au pairs, our Saturday museum trips to the Smithsonian museums in Washington, DC take place every Saturday year round, with the exception of major holidays. Students will spend a day at a different museum each week and participate in an interactive, themed museum class facilitated by one of our ESL instructors.

Course Description: Would you like to improve your English language skills and knowledge of American culture and history while having fun with your friends? Here's how: participate in our interactive museum visits led by a VIU ESL instructor!

In this course for au pairs, students participate in an interactive, themed museum class facilitated by an ESL instructor. By way of reading, listening, and writing, students react to museums' artifacts and exhibits. This exposure will expand students' vocabulary, cultural sensitivity, and inspiration for visiting museums. Each museum visit lasts five hours. Students can attend as many or as few visits as they like.

Students earn 0.5 continuing education units (CEUs) for each museum class. Registration and classes are on-going throughout the year. Register today!

PLEASE NOTE THAT REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT MUST BE COMPLETED BY THE THURSDAY AT 11:59 PM BEFORE THE SATURDAY CLASS. WE ARE UNABLE TO ACCEPT LATE REGISTRATIONS OR PAYMENTS.

If you are attending a museum class for the first time, please read the FAQs for Museum Classes for Au Pairs where you can read important information about the museum classes. Click on the FAQs for Museum Classes for Au Pairs at the bottom of this page.

Please note that students who choose to visit the same museum twice will be credited for one museum visit only. No placement test is required for the Saturday museum visits.

UPCOMING MUSEUMS & DATES 2017 (Museum classes are from 10:30 AM - 3:30 PM, with the exception of the American Art Gallery & the National Portrait Gallery classes which are from 11:30 AM-4:30 PM.)

August 5, 2017

National Zoo, 10:30 AM

August 12, 2017

U.S. Botanic Garden, 10:30 AM

August 19, 2017

National Museum of the American Indian, 10:30 AM

August 26, 2017

Library of Congress, 10:30 AM

Sept 2, 2017

No Class – Labor Day Weekend

Sept 9, 2017

U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, 10:30 AM

Sept. 16, 2017

Monuments on the National Mall, 10:30 AM

Sept. 23, 2017

National Postal Museum, 10:30 AM

Sept. 30, 2017

Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden, 10:30 AM

Oct. 7, 2017

National Museum of African Art, 10:30 AM

Oct. 14, 2017

Newseum, 10:30 AM

Oct 21, 2017

National Portrait Gallery, 11:30 AM

Oct. 28, 2017

American Art Gallery, 11:30 AM

Nov. 4, 2017

Freer & Sackler Galleries, 10:30 AM

Nov. 11, 2017

National Museum of Natural History, 10:30 AM

Nov. 18, 2017

National Archives, 10:30 AM

Nov. 25, 2017

No Class – Thanksgiving Break

TUITION AND REFUND POLICY: Tuition is $40 per class + $20 application fee for new students. Please note that tuition and application fees are non-refundable.

Business English

Tuesdays & Thursdays 7-9:30 p.m.

The goal of the Business English course is to familiarize students with the methods, styles, and vocabulary of modern American business communications. Students will focus on improving their listening and speaking skills in key areas of business communication such as taking part in meetings, telephoning, negotiating, and socializing. The course includes reading assignments and familiarizes students with forms of business writing such as memos, reports, invitations, résumés, letters, and agendas. (Students can enroll in Part 2 without taking Part 1)
Tuition: $240 plus $20 administration fee for first-time students.

Grammar & Conversation – Evening

Mondays & Wednesdays 7-9:30 p.m.

Improve those grammar trouble spots and advance your speaking skills! In this course, you will focus on understanding and improving your use of English grammar. You will have the opportunity to practice grammar points through interactive activities and English conversation.
Tuition: $240 plus $20 administration fee for first-time students.

ESL for Better English!

Tuesdays & Thursdays 7-9:30 p.m.

The goal of this course is to help students improve their fluency by focusing on essential grammar and stimulating listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities that emphasize the language needed for real world communication. The ESL classes focus on the four links to fluency: course content with universal topics, dynamic vocabulary, essential grammar, and confident communication. (Students can enroll in Part 2 without taking Part 1)
Tuition: $240 plus $20 administration fee for first-time students

Public Speaking with Confidence!

Mondays & Wednesdays 7-9:30 p.m.

In this course students will improve their confidence and abilities to be effective presenters in their academic, work, or social lives. Students will build their skills by learning how to reduce public speaking anxiety, studying different speeches; practicing non-verbal communication such as eye contact, gestures, posture, and voice; selecting topics; outlining and preparing speech materials, and delivering and evaluating presentations. Strategies for selecting and using visual aids will be discussed and applied. Students can expect to practice communicating one-on-one, in small groups, and in public speaking situations.

* If you have taken a course at VIU before, you do not pay the $20 application fee.
** Textbook prices are not included in the tuition. Approximate textbook prices are based on buying a used or new copy from Amazon.com.
*** Each Saturday Museum Visit is worth 0.5 continuing education unit. Students can choose the dates to attend the museum trips.

Special Weekend Courses for Au Pairs! We are offering two weekend courses just for au pairs where you can earn 1.5 CEUs by taking a course over two Saturdays. Join us for Grammar Tune-Up! Oct 14th and 21st and/or Delicious English! Dec 2nd & 9th. Take both weekend courses and earn 3.0 CEUs!

Grammar Tune-Up! a special weekend course for au pairs will be offered October 14th & 21st. This course is designed to target common errors made by English learners. In this course, students will gain confidence facing their trouble spots in grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. The course was designed for intermediate to advanced-level students and incorporates interactive activities to practice and reinforce correct usage. Instruction includes 10 hours in class and 5 hours of pre- and post-class assignments. Class Saturday, October 14th and Saturday, October 21st from 9 am – 3 pm. No placement test required for Grammar Tune-Up!

Grammar Tune-Up!
1.5 CEUs

Program Dates

Day/Time

Oct 14th

Saturday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Oct 21st

Saturday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Tuition:

$120 + $20 one time application fee (new students only)

Delicious English! Learn all about food in the U.S. and improve your English! We will cover food idioms and expressions, regional food specialties, the politics and economics of food production, popularity of fast food, and other interesting topics.

FAQs for Museum Classes for Au Pairs

Q: I registered for a museum class, but how will I know where the meet the teacher and the other students?

A: On Friday before the museum class, you will receive an email with instructions on how to get to the museum and where to meet your teacher and the other students.

Q: I need proof that I took the museum classes and earned continuing education units. How will I get this proof to send to my au pair agency?

A: When you take your first museum class, the teacher will give you an attendance sheet. You bring this sheet to each museum class and your teacher will sign it. When you have taken all the classes that you want, you hand in the attendance sheet to the teacher and we will issue a certificate of completion to you with the CEUs that you have earned. With each museum class you take you earn 0.5 CEUs.

Q: I looked on the website and I don't see any museum visits for next month. Will you have more museum classes?

A: Yes, we have museum classes every Saturday year round, with the exception of major holidays such as New Year's or July 4. There are too many classes to list them all at the same time, so we post 8-10 classes at a time on the website.

Q: What time are the museum classes?

A: Most of the museum classes are from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. However, museum classes at the American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery are from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. because these museums open later.

Q: How long will it take for me to receive my certificate?

A: We ask that you allow two weeks for us to issue the certificate. We will scan and email it to you.

Q: I only need 0.5 CEUs to complete my educational requirement. Is it okay if I only take one class?

A: The museum program is very flexible, and you can take as many or as few classes as you like. You can also choose the classes that you want to take, so you don't need to take class every week.

Q: I took an evening class at VIU. Do I need to pay the $20 administrative fee if I want to take the museum class?

A: No, since you are a returning student you will not have to pay the $20 again.

Q: I signed up and paid online for a museum class, but now I am unable to attend. What can I do?

A: There are no refunds for museum classes; however, if you contact us before the registration deadline, we can switch your class to another one. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 3:00 pm on Thursday before the Saturday class. We are unable to switch a class after the deadline has passed.

Q: What is the deadline to register for museum classes?

A: The deadline to register is 11:59 p.m. on the Thursday before the class. You must also complete the payment by this deadline in order to be registered for the class. We are unable to take late registrations.

Q: I am not an au pair. May I take a museum class?

A: We recommend these classes for au pairs, but they are not restricted to au pairs. The classes are different from other language classes since there is no formal instruction. If you would like to take an ESL class we suggest that you take one of our evening ESL classes.

Q: Who should I contact if I have questions?

A: You may email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call Claire Gimble at (703) 591-7042 x324 if you have questions. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8 AM to 5 PM.

FAQs for Non-Intensive ESL Classes

Q: Should I take the intensive classes or the non-intensive classes?

A: This depends on your needs and your budget. The intensive program is most suited to full-time ESL students who have an F1 Visa. The intensive program focuses on English for academic purposes as most of our students plan to pursue university degrees after they have completed the ESL program. The classes are offered from Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 2:40 p.m.

The intensive is not exclusively for F1 students; students who are here on J1 Visas can also take classes. To apply to the intensive program, students are required to apply to the university and pay a non-refundable $150 application fee. The Tuition for seven weeks is $1,400, which includes textbooks. There are some additional costs such as a student resource fee and a student activity fee. If a J1 student would like to take fewer than 20 hours of classes, the tuition would be pro-rated.

The non-intensive courses are most suited to part-time students who may work during the day. The university does not issue visas for part-time study; therefore, students in the non-intensive program must already be in the US and have visas, permanent residency, or US citizenship. J1 students in the program receive certificates of completion with continuing education units (CEUs). Classes are offered Monday and Wednesday evenings from 7 to 9:30 p.m. or Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Classes run for six weeks. Evening ESL, Business English, and American Language and Culture offer 3 CEUs. The cost is $240 for six weeks of classes plus a $20 one-time administrative fee for first-time students. If you are a returning student, you will not need to pay the $20 again or take a placement test.

Q: Why do I need to take a placement test? What if I don't do well on the test?

A: The placement test is to make sure that you are taking a course that is at the right level for you. There are two parts to the test: speaking and writing. The test takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. This is not a test where you will receive a passing or failing grade. It is only to make sure you will be placed in a course where you will be comfortable with the level of difficulty.

Q: What if I am unable to come to class?

A: We ask that you email your teacher and ask for any work that you missed. However, if you miss many classes you may not be able to receive a certificate of completion.

Q: Will I receive a certificate with my continuing education units after I complete my course?

A: Yes, at the last class certificates are given to the students who complete the course.

Q: Who should I contact if I have questions?

A: You may email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call Claire Gimble at (703) 591-7042 x324 if you have questions.

You can download the Fall 2017 Non-Intensive ESL class schedule from here.

*Textbook prices are not included in the tuition, and tuition is always subject to change. Each class is offered upon reaching required number of student enrollment.**If you are a returning student who took a class in VIU's Continuing Education ESL program within the last 12 months, you can skip the English placement test, and you do not have to pay the $20 application fee again.